Damian0358
Roleplaying Procrastinator From Elsewhere
A1
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Fantasy Terrorchild: Awakening
- Thread starter K0mori
- Start date
Breadman
Big loaf supreme
B2
rpg.veteran
gakusei
C3
dikdik
colossal leaf and prince of the universe
C4 GASP
turtwigwins
Junior Member
C4
Veralt's Plan, Embryx in Charge
New
K0mori
Servant Supreme
Option A: 1 Vote (14% - Range: 1-14)
Option B: 2 Votes (29% - Range: 15-43)
Option C: 4 Votes (57% - Range: 44-100)
Fae Roll: 80
"WHAT!?" Corrinth blurted, suddenly lurching forward from her reclined position, leaning against a tree trunk. Her mouth was curled into a snarl of a grin, with eyes that offered no quarter. "Embryx was the lesser of both of us in Tashlaan, Agranne, and I haven't seen anything change in the past two years, have you!?"
You stare her down - you might not have been expecting her challenge, but you already know exactly how to reply. "Actually, I have - you lost your mind, and when you stole the Pandemonium Door and attacked us, Embryx nearly killed you and I had to come to your rescue. If you still think you're stronger than her, then I'll have you under my watch in Maanlash and I'll make sure you behave yourself."
"I'm just saying-"
You shut her down with a compulsion that freezes her tongue in place. "Stop talking."
As the changeling struggles with her inability to speak, she motions incredulously to the other pact sisters, looking for support in her challenge against Embryx's selection to lead the circle in your absence, but Fiola, Stalna, and Wag all shrink back, unwilling to challenge you further. Veralt, however, holds out his wand and with only a puff of shadowy smoke, shatters your compulsion like glass, glaring at you all the while as he installs his own, instead.
In Corrinth's voice, he speaks, eerily calmly: "I understand your lack of trust for Corrinth. You two have a troubled history. But I can't understand your contempt for her abilities. You don't respect her, and not only that - by choosing your partner over me to lead them into the canyon, you show a lack of respect for all of us in the circle."
He then releases Corrinth, who takes a few heavy breaths to shake off the experience of being passed around under the compulsion of others. "...Thank you," she says, to which the tabaxi gives a nod.
A part of you flashes back to the way you became Diala's pet in Mardenaal, when you were unable to break free from her compulsive powers. You don't want to test the limits of Veralt's apparently superior abilities in the same field and risk losing control of the circle when you're two days away from Thandan, at most. So, in the interests of holding everything together just a bit longer, you make a concession:
"I never intended to suggest that she's stronger than you, Veralt," you reply. "That's why Halfiya and Rowgu, and the rest of our strongest sisters follow you. But Embryx is like me - she has no circle to concern herself with aside from this pact. Her job will be to look out for your concerns over two days of travel to Thandan - that's all."
Veralt's sour expression seems to dull into a much calmer, more understanding one. However, he's still eyeing you a bit intently. He gives a subtle nod toward Corrinth, as if demanding an apology on her behalf. There's no way in Hells you'd give her one, however. Instead, you look to Embryx herself, who still hasn't had her say in the matter. She seems slightly taken aback by your decision as well, and you're certain that once the pact circle is dismissed, she'll have some words for you. But for now, she's calm and defends your decision without challenging Veralt.
"...It's just like Agranne said," she says, cautiously. "I'm not going to try to control anyone. We don't even need a tight chain of command or anything on the road, alright? It's not like you need to be out there telling us to put one foot in front of the other," she says to Veralt, and to your relief, he gives a bit of a smirk as she says this, amused with the reasoning.
You can hardly believe you woke up in a good mood today. Your love, the enchantingly dark, wonderous and baleful, beautiful and talented Agranne, has completely screwed you, and not in the way you've been imagining since maybe the day you met her. No, you woke up this morning with her fluffy ear tickling your cheek, her head tucked up beneath your chin and purring softly, just like a damned housecat. You could have stayed just like that for the rest of the day if she hadn't woken up, but the moment she did, she picked herself up off the ground, dusted herself off, and got right back to conquering the world.
And that means you had to get up, stretch, put on your boots, and then show up for the pact circle meeting, where you wouldn't have to say much of anything unless Corrinth somehow gets into Agranne's head again with her fae bullshit. But wouldn't you know it? She didn't need to! Not today. No, today, you found out that Agranne is fucking off to some village out in the marshes so she can raise an undead army, and rather than putting Veralt or any of the others in the pact in charge of that so you can tag along and maybe find a moment of privacy with her, she decided that you're not invited to go with her, because you're going to be too busy 'looking out for the concerns' of your elder brother and sisters.
Okay, breathe. Things almost got violent in the pact circle a moment ago, and you helped defuse it. If you hadn't just backed her up, if you had spoken your mind, you would have given even more justification for Corrinth and Veralt to argue with her, and if push had come to shove at that point, you figure Agranne might've finally killed the changeling off just to prove a point. And then what? Would it be time to start thwacking people again, like Miona? As fun as it would be, it would be less fun if Agranne's whole conquest falls apart at the doorstep of the King's city just because you couldn't keep your mouth shut.
So how do you do this?
1. Put Veralt in Charge - As soon as you part ways, wherever it is the road forks, and you're out of Agranne's sight, you're going to put Veralt in control of your side of the circle. There'll be no hard feelings, right?
2. Get the Loyalty of the Pact - You swallow your doubts and remind yourself that Fiola and Wag can still probably be convinced to support your leadership. Stalna too, but unfortunately, she's tagging along with Agranne and Jannava since she knows how to raise the dead. If you can get both of them on your side, it'll be three versus two. That'll hold up, right?
3. Let's Kill Someone - Veralt and Corrinth together are serious fucking trouble, and you're surprised that no one seems to be talking about it. Maybe, if you can get the upper-hand, you can remove one or both of them and then claim it was self-defense... In a way, Agranne is your other half - so if the two of them are plotting against her, they may as well be plotting against you, right?
Option B: 2 Votes (29% - Range: 15-43)
Option C: 4 Votes (57% - Range: 44-100)
Fae Roll: 80
"WHAT!?" Corrinth blurted, suddenly lurching forward from her reclined position, leaning against a tree trunk. Her mouth was curled into a snarl of a grin, with eyes that offered no quarter. "Embryx was the lesser of both of us in Tashlaan, Agranne, and I haven't seen anything change in the past two years, have you!?"
You stare her down - you might not have been expecting her challenge, but you already know exactly how to reply. "Actually, I have - you lost your mind, and when you stole the Pandemonium Door and attacked us, Embryx nearly killed you and I had to come to your rescue. If you still think you're stronger than her, then I'll have you under my watch in Maanlash and I'll make sure you behave yourself."
"I'm just saying-"
You shut her down with a compulsion that freezes her tongue in place. "Stop talking."
As the changeling struggles with her inability to speak, she motions incredulously to the other pact sisters, looking for support in her challenge against Embryx's selection to lead the circle in your absence, but Fiola, Stalna, and Wag all shrink back, unwilling to challenge you further. Veralt, however, holds out his wand and with only a puff of shadowy smoke, shatters your compulsion like glass, glaring at you all the while as he installs his own, instead.
In Corrinth's voice, he speaks, eerily calmly: "I understand your lack of trust for Corrinth. You two have a troubled history. But I can't understand your contempt for her abilities. You don't respect her, and not only that - by choosing your partner over me to lead them into the canyon, you show a lack of respect for all of us in the circle."
He then releases Corrinth, who takes a few heavy breaths to shake off the experience of being passed around under the compulsion of others. "...Thank you," she says, to which the tabaxi gives a nod.
A part of you flashes back to the way you became Diala's pet in Mardenaal, when you were unable to break free from her compulsive powers. You don't want to test the limits of Veralt's apparently superior abilities in the same field and risk losing control of the circle when you're two days away from Thandan, at most. So, in the interests of holding everything together just a bit longer, you make a concession:
"I never intended to suggest that she's stronger than you, Veralt," you reply. "That's why Halfiya and Rowgu, and the rest of our strongest sisters follow you. But Embryx is like me - she has no circle to concern herself with aside from this pact. Her job will be to look out for your concerns over two days of travel to Thandan - that's all."
Veralt's sour expression seems to dull into a much calmer, more understanding one. However, he's still eyeing you a bit intently. He gives a subtle nod toward Corrinth, as if demanding an apology on her behalf. There's no way in Hells you'd give her one, however. Instead, you look to Embryx herself, who still hasn't had her say in the matter. She seems slightly taken aback by your decision as well, and you're certain that once the pact circle is dismissed, she'll have some words for you. But for now, she's calm and defends your decision without challenging Veralt.
"...It's just like Agranne said," she says, cautiously. "I'm not going to try to control anyone. We don't even need a tight chain of command or anything on the road, alright? It's not like you need to be out there telling us to put one foot in front of the other," she says to Veralt, and to your relief, he gives a bit of a smirk as she says this, amused with the reasoning.
---
Godsfuckingdammit, Agranne. Fucking shit-fuck. FUCK! What am I supposed to do now!?
You can hardly believe you woke up in a good mood today. Your love, the enchantingly dark, wonderous and baleful, beautiful and talented Agranne, has completely screwed you, and not in the way you've been imagining since maybe the day you met her. No, you woke up this morning with her fluffy ear tickling your cheek, her head tucked up beneath your chin and purring softly, just like a damned housecat. You could have stayed just like that for the rest of the day if she hadn't woken up, but the moment she did, she picked herself up off the ground, dusted herself off, and got right back to conquering the world.
And that means you had to get up, stretch, put on your boots, and then show up for the pact circle meeting, where you wouldn't have to say much of anything unless Corrinth somehow gets into Agranne's head again with her fae bullshit. But wouldn't you know it? She didn't need to! Not today. No, today, you found out that Agranne is fucking off to some village out in the marshes so she can raise an undead army, and rather than putting Veralt or any of the others in the pact in charge of that so you can tag along and maybe find a moment of privacy with her, she decided that you're not invited to go with her, because you're going to be too busy 'looking out for the concerns' of your elder brother and sisters.
Okay, breathe. Things almost got violent in the pact circle a moment ago, and you helped defuse it. If you hadn't just backed her up, if you had spoken your mind, you would have given even more justification for Corrinth and Veralt to argue with her, and if push had come to shove at that point, you figure Agranne might've finally killed the changeling off just to prove a point. And then what? Would it be time to start thwacking people again, like Miona? As fun as it would be, it would be less fun if Agranne's whole conquest falls apart at the doorstep of the King's city just because you couldn't keep your mouth shut.
So how do you do this?
1. Put Veralt in Charge - As soon as you part ways, wherever it is the road forks, and you're out of Agranne's sight, you're going to put Veralt in control of your side of the circle. There'll be no hard feelings, right?
2. Get the Loyalty of the Pact - You swallow your doubts and remind yourself that Fiola and Wag can still probably be convinced to support your leadership. Stalna too, but unfortunately, she's tagging along with Agranne and Jannava since she knows how to raise the dead. If you can get both of them on your side, it'll be three versus two. That'll hold up, right?
3. Let's Kill Someone - Veralt and Corrinth together are serious fucking trouble, and you're surprised that no one seems to be talking about it. Maybe, if you can get the upper-hand, you can remove one or both of them and then claim it was self-defense... In a way, Agranne is your other half - so if the two of them are plotting against her, they may as well be plotting against you, right?
hardcore.munchkin
Professional hater
3
Infab
The Demon Fanatic
1
rpg.veteran
gakusei
1
joshuadim
the writer
2
dikdik
colossal leaf and prince of the universe
1
Breadman
Big loaf supreme
3
turtwigwins
Junior Member
2
bat_hacker
Junior Member
2
Damian0358
Roleplaying Procrastinator From Elsewhere
1
Get the Loyalty of the Pact
New
K0mori
Servant Supreme
Option 1: 4 Votes (44% - Range: 1-44)
Option 2: 3 Votes (33% - Range: 45-77)
Option 3: 2 Votes (22% - Range: 78-100)
Fae Roll: 57
Your better judgement is telling you to just hand this whole show over to Veralt the moment Agranne is gone, so everyone feels like they're getting the respect they deserve, but you can't seem to let go of a second thought. It's that damned faerie wine, again, isn't it? You try to not let your frustrations show, but it seems unfair that indulging in a cup of liquid madness just once in your life should haunt you at critical moments like this. But here you are, deciding that you're going to try to hold your grip on this thing and make Agranne proud.
For right now, the pact circle meeting is adjourned, it seems, as Fiola, Stalna, Wag, and Veralt depart to gather their circles up. This whole "army" thing that Agranne has done has certainly made things difficult to manage; either she's going to need to add even more witches into the pact circle, or she's going to need to let the pacts have pacts within. Or, you suddenly realize, you're going to need to form your own circle. Agranne has already, more or less, allowed Corrinth and Jannava to build up followings of the fae-touched and the necromancy-inclined, so maybe it follows that you should have the more physical sorts under your watch.
But then, another consideration hits you and gives you a fit of anxiety. Once Thandan has bent the knee to Lythrefang, what happens next?
As far as you know, Agranne is still trying to get her lost sister back, which means Kulka is either going to need to cough up some answers, or you're going to wind up busting her head in, just like mashing potatoes, before offering your love your services in Zuklanar or Pasheau, or wherever her travels are going to take her next. Suddenly becoming responsible for a whole circle of witches in Turadal before abandoning them for your next adventure seems remarkably selfish on your part. Granted, it's what Agranne is doing, and to a much greater extent as well, but two things hold back your judgement. First, you love her, and love doesn't need to be rational. Second, she's the Terrorchild, and you're not.
You huff. Jannava isn't going to want a circle either, since she's going back to Estfang once all this is over. That just leaves Corrinth, who's going to be busy with plenty of fae debauchery as soon as the crown is forced to stop hunting and driving them back. She's not going anywhere... But of course, Agranne doesn't trust her, and so she stays within the pact circle without a circle of her own. Agranne kind of treats her like Diala used to treat us, you find yourself thinking, but the thought is uncomfortable and so you quickly sweep it back under the rug where it belongs.
Focus, dammit! You only need to survive a day and a half without her. You can do this, you tell yourself again. You just need to get Fiola and Wag to stand by you.
Back near your own fire, you catch up with Agranne, who's already getting her gear packed away on her horse's back. "Hey, Agranne!" you say as you walk up. "Do you think maybe you can warn me next time before you decide to put a target on my back?" you ask.
"Huh?" the tabaxi grunts. "...Embryx, what would they even get out of harming you? They ought to know that if they turn up in Thandan and you're not with them, they're dead. I'll make fucking canoe out of their skin and paddle up-river until I find you, and they'd better hope you're alive, because-"
"Agranne," you interrupt, trying again. "Veralt's compulsion is the strongest we've ever seen. He's... He's a master of it, I think. Diala was strong enough to make you hand over the Door two years ago, and I think if Veralt is strong enough to do the same, then both of us could wind up dead."
She seems frustrated by your remark, as if your point rings hollow. Is there a side to this that you aren't considering? "Or, one of them could take out a dagger and slit my throat while I'm sleeping," she says quietly. "...Nobody ever said we were safe, Embryx, but as long as we keep on doing what we're doing - winning battles, taking over territory, and putting the rest of the coven on notice, like Kulka - then they won't act out. I figured that if I put you with them in the canyon, it would keep you away from the royalists while also keeping them calm, because there's no chance of us suffering some major setback that they can use as an excuse to turn on us. If they're going to do something, they'll wait until the first possible sign that the attack on Thandan is going wrong."
It seems Agranne has already been thinking about Corrinth's relationship with Veralt, given the way she speaks about the threat as a conspiracy, rather than a problem with a single person. You nod, reluctantly. "I guess so. I'm going to try to make sure that Fiola and Wag are on your side while we're on the way. If the rest of the pact is on your side, then they'll be on my side," you assure her.
She smiles. "Thanks. I'm sorry I didn't talk this over with you... It was spur-of-the-moment decision."
"Yeah," you say with a sigh. "There's been a lot of those lately..."
She seems hurt by your reply, but you quickly assure her that you weren't complaining. "I keep having these moments where I think about what I should do, and then I just don't-"
"Right!?" Agranne says with a laugh. "It's just like when you can't stop misplacing something no matter how many times you tell yourself to put it back where it goes..."
1. Meet with Fiola - Since Fiola was the one responsible for all the fun back in Enthaan, you figure she'll probably have a bit more sway over the circle's rank and file. She's rich, which is something you really can't relate to, but she seems to get on well with Agranne and Stalna just fine. You simply feel as if you don't know her very well - but right now, you can change that.
2. Meet with Wag - Wag has an impressive following for a goblin. She doesn't seem to be all that talented with magic, which means she can't be far above you, so her position of power mainly comes from her likability. And, well, she reminds you a lot of Ika, which will make things a little bit awkward if you get too comfortable talking to her, too quickly. Still, working from the ground up is probably a good idea for convincing hearts and minds that Agranne cares about everyone.
Option 2: 3 Votes (33% - Range: 45-77)
Option 3: 2 Votes (22% - Range: 78-100)
Fae Roll: 57
Your better judgement is telling you to just hand this whole show over to Veralt the moment Agranne is gone, so everyone feels like they're getting the respect they deserve, but you can't seem to let go of a second thought. It's that damned faerie wine, again, isn't it? You try to not let your frustrations show, but it seems unfair that indulging in a cup of liquid madness just once in your life should haunt you at critical moments like this. But here you are, deciding that you're going to try to hold your grip on this thing and make Agranne proud.
For right now, the pact circle meeting is adjourned, it seems, as Fiola, Stalna, Wag, and Veralt depart to gather their circles up. This whole "army" thing that Agranne has done has certainly made things difficult to manage; either she's going to need to add even more witches into the pact circle, or she's going to need to let the pacts have pacts within. Or, you suddenly realize, you're going to need to form your own circle. Agranne has already, more or less, allowed Corrinth and Jannava to build up followings of the fae-touched and the necromancy-inclined, so maybe it follows that you should have the more physical sorts under your watch.
But then, another consideration hits you and gives you a fit of anxiety. Once Thandan has bent the knee to Lythrefang, what happens next?
As far as you know, Agranne is still trying to get her lost sister back, which means Kulka is either going to need to cough up some answers, or you're going to wind up busting her head in, just like mashing potatoes, before offering your love your services in Zuklanar or Pasheau, or wherever her travels are going to take her next. Suddenly becoming responsible for a whole circle of witches in Turadal before abandoning them for your next adventure seems remarkably selfish on your part. Granted, it's what Agranne is doing, and to a much greater extent as well, but two things hold back your judgement. First, you love her, and love doesn't need to be rational. Second, she's the Terrorchild, and you're not.
You huff. Jannava isn't going to want a circle either, since she's going back to Estfang once all this is over. That just leaves Corrinth, who's going to be busy with plenty of fae debauchery as soon as the crown is forced to stop hunting and driving them back. She's not going anywhere... But of course, Agranne doesn't trust her, and so she stays within the pact circle without a circle of her own. Agranne kind of treats her like Diala used to treat us, you find yourself thinking, but the thought is uncomfortable and so you quickly sweep it back under the rug where it belongs.
Focus, dammit! You only need to survive a day and a half without her. You can do this, you tell yourself again. You just need to get Fiola and Wag to stand by you.
Back near your own fire, you catch up with Agranne, who's already getting her gear packed away on her horse's back. "Hey, Agranne!" you say as you walk up. "Do you think maybe you can warn me next time before you decide to put a target on my back?" you ask.
"Huh?" the tabaxi grunts. "...Embryx, what would they even get out of harming you? They ought to know that if they turn up in Thandan and you're not with them, they're dead. I'll make fucking canoe out of their skin and paddle up-river until I find you, and they'd better hope you're alive, because-"
"Agranne," you interrupt, trying again. "Veralt's compulsion is the strongest we've ever seen. He's... He's a master of it, I think. Diala was strong enough to make you hand over the Door two years ago, and I think if Veralt is strong enough to do the same, then both of us could wind up dead."
She seems frustrated by your remark, as if your point rings hollow. Is there a side to this that you aren't considering? "Or, one of them could take out a dagger and slit my throat while I'm sleeping," she says quietly. "...Nobody ever said we were safe, Embryx, but as long as we keep on doing what we're doing - winning battles, taking over territory, and putting the rest of the coven on notice, like Kulka - then they won't act out. I figured that if I put you with them in the canyon, it would keep you away from the royalists while also keeping them calm, because there's no chance of us suffering some major setback that they can use as an excuse to turn on us. If they're going to do something, they'll wait until the first possible sign that the attack on Thandan is going wrong."
It seems Agranne has already been thinking about Corrinth's relationship with Veralt, given the way she speaks about the threat as a conspiracy, rather than a problem with a single person. You nod, reluctantly. "I guess so. I'm going to try to make sure that Fiola and Wag are on your side while we're on the way. If the rest of the pact is on your side, then they'll be on my side," you assure her.
She smiles. "Thanks. I'm sorry I didn't talk this over with you... It was spur-of-the-moment decision."
"Yeah," you say with a sigh. "There's been a lot of those lately..."
She seems hurt by your reply, but you quickly assure her that you weren't complaining. "I keep having these moments where I think about what I should do, and then I just don't-"
"Right!?" Agranne says with a laugh. "It's just like when you can't stop misplacing something no matter how many times you tell yourself to put it back where it goes..."
---
Soon, everyone is on the road, or lack thereof, again. The massive columns of witches, with a few oddball warlocks and some fae creatures sprinkled in here and there, move out across the grassy plains toward the marshes in the distance. You get a welcome reprieve from the pressure of the pact circle as each of the leaders return to their own followings, leaving just the ones you know best. Even then, Corrinth decides she'd rather patrol the skies, shifting into wildshape and taking flight as a crow. Since Agranne is deep in a conversation with Jannava about the properties of anima, you decide to take your horse and meet up with one of your targets of influence.
1. Meet with Fiola - Since Fiola was the one responsible for all the fun back in Enthaan, you figure she'll probably have a bit more sway over the circle's rank and file. She's rich, which is something you really can't relate to, but she seems to get on well with Agranne and Stalna just fine. You simply feel as if you don't know her very well - but right now, you can change that.
2. Meet with Wag - Wag has an impressive following for a goblin. She doesn't seem to be all that talented with magic, which means she can't be far above you, so her position of power mainly comes from her likability. And, well, she reminds you a lot of Ika, which will make things a little bit awkward if you get too comfortable talking to her, too quickly. Still, working from the ground up is probably a good idea for convincing hearts and minds that Agranne cares about everyone.
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the writer
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Roleplaying Procrastinator From Elsewhere
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Junior Member
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Meet with Wag
New
K0mori
Servant Supreme
For once, you feel as if there isn't a doubt in your mind as you drop back and cut away toward Ika's circle, galloping along until you see her at the head of it. She notices your coming and waves at you; you return the gesture and loosen your scarf so that she can see that you're smiling at her. "Hey sister!" you shout once you're in earshot, "got a second?"
"Yeah," she barks back, giving the reins of her horse a flick so that she can catch up to your position in the empty space ahead of the rest of her following. The two of you slow once you're apart from the rest of the crowd and able to hold a private conversation at a normal volume. "Iz there a change of planz?" she asks, eagerly. You think for a moment about how wild things have been since that first battle in the woods and realize that Wag seems fairly comfortable with the chaotic nature of the coven's activities as of late.
Nonetheless, you shake your head. "Nah, I'm still leading you and yours into the canyon, but that's why I'm here. Things have been moving so fast that I really don't know much about you and the other pact sisters. I wanna see if I can, you know, fill in the details..."
The goblin nods, although she seems less than enthusiastic to talk about herself. "Okay, yeah, underztood," she replies. "...I'm from Lotho, down zouth in Athea. I waz a pipefitter, and worked a lot underground, a lot under the city. Lozt a finger to a zwarm of ratz, once!" she states, showing off her missing left pinky. "I, uh... I got into zome trouble, even before I knew I waz a witch," she explains, reluctantly.
You check over your shoulder, and then into the air, to make sure that Corrinth isn't somewhere eavesdropping, before asking her, "...what did you do?"
"Zo, um, in the tunnelz, there are a lot of goblinz who live down there. Zome of them are the poor onez, the forgotten onez, but mozt are juzt... They live a different life down there, underfoot. A bad life. I waz back 'n forth, right? Up and down. And they ztarted azking me to bring thingz from up top to down below where they could have them without zhowing their facez in the zun. I ztarted with foodztuffz and clothing, and zelling it to the theivez and the other bad onez for a good little profit for me, and then..." she pauses, uncomfortably.
You decide to cut in to give her a bit of space. "Hey," you assure her, "you don't have to tell me about it if it bothers you. We all have shit we'd like to forget about."
She shakes her head, both at you and in disgust of her own self-pity. "...They ztopped azking and ztarted demanding I get thingz, thingz I couldn't afford to buy, even with the coin I would make for zelling it. They would hurt me if I didn't bring them, and zo I ztarted ztealing thingz. I knew I'd get caught zooner or later and didn't want to zpend my whole life living in thoze tunnelz like the rezt of the thievizh onez, zo I zaid I'd zteal one more time for all of them before leaving town, 'give me zomething big, zomething pricy!' I zaid. And they zaid 'bring uz an elf."
A kidnapping? Suddenly you find yourself glued to her story. Wag had seemed so nice on the surface, but now you'll never see any resemblance between her and Ika like you did before. "So, how'd it go?" you ask.
"I got one, a boy about thiz high," she explains, bleakly, showing you her spread hands to indicate that she had stolen a toddler away. "It wazn't hard to znatch him, I just offered him a zweet and he came to me, and then down the gobbie-hole we went into the tunnelz. I tried to be gentle, but I knew it waz all wrong. When I got to where I waz going, the thievez took him and zaid he'd grow up and be their zervant, juzt a toy for them. Then they zaid I'd get no pay, zince I waz juzt a theif like them, I had no need for money... I could just zteal whatever I needed."
"So how'd you get out? Is that when you had your awakening?" you ask, hopefully.
Wag laughs. "Haah! I wizh. No, it took a year, but I eventually got my handz on a wand while taking zome loot from up topzide and I could feel it in me. And zo I went and found the onez who azked for that elf boy and I juzt killed them all. I never found that kid, though. I wizh I hadn't taken him. I wizh I could've zent him home. But az it iz, I don't even know hiz name."
"How long has it been?" you ask. "It couldn't have been that long ago; you're not that old."
She thinks for a moment. "Hmm, zix yearz, I'd zay."
"That's no time at all!" you say, eagerly. "If he's even still down there, he's still just a little tyke. After we win this thing with Agranne, you could go back and find him, and give him every advantage in life!"
She frowns and looks away. "I juzt hope he'z ztill alive," she says. "...But you're right. If he'z ztill out there, I need to go back and fix it."
"You're not the only one," you assure her. "This whole thing is happening because Agranne's trying to fix her own mistakes," you say. Immediately, the goblin's ears perk up and she turns back to you. You explain the story of how Agranne's misguided faith prior to her awakening led to her sister's capture and death, and how installing the Grand Design will help get her closer to reviving her.
"And then what?" Wag asks. "Once Rigatte iz alive, what will Agranne do then?"
1. Tell the Truth - "I think she'll just about be done with raising hell," you admit, believing that you've seen Wag's true, well-meaning nature. "The coven will be so much stronger by that point, it won't need the Terrorchild leading armies about and killing noblemen. I think a lot about it, you know. She and I have been through a lot, and I'm really looking forward to finally just living somewhere - probably somewhere here in Turadal."
2. Build the Legend - You don't want to tell Wag that her hero's in this fight reluctantly, fighting for selfish reasons. Even if Agranne has told you several times now that she wants something out of life other than being Syrith's strongest soldier, you'll pretend that you don't know. "...There's a lot of anger in her heart," you say, partially honest. "She grew up so poor, I don't think she'll ever really let go of it. One day, it might be Zuklanar's turn to fall."
Infab
The Demon Fanatic
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